Saturday, April 30, 2011

Recently, Artbeads.com asked their design partners to create a design incorporating an old/vintage item with new modern elements, hence "What's Old is New Again." So I put my thinking cap on, put in my order, and here's what I received.

What's with the 2 toggle clasps you ask? Well...I'll be creating 2 designs, and I'm very excited about it! The collection of colorful beads include two varieties of Czech Glass beads; Brown Silk flat barrels & Champagne roundel beads and there are some gorgeous Swarovski Crystals in stunning colors of Purple Velvet (to die for!), bright & vivid Capri Blue and sparkly Crystal Golden Shadow. Those shiny gold beads on the bottom left are 22K gold-plated pewterheishi spacers. They look like gold nuggets! The findings above the spacers are crimp ends and end cap rings. Perfect to use with satin ribbon, which is what I'll be using them for. This will be my first time creating with these, and I'm loving them already! They're very easy to work with, and they make a nice touch or finish to your jewelry piece. Visit Artbeads Jewelry Findings for a huge selection in an array of finishes.

Once I made the drafts for my designs, I knew I needed gold findings, and I had an idea of the shapes, materials, and brands I wanted. So with all of that in mind, I took advantage of the option to shop by materialand the option of shopping the collections and brands feature. Let me tell you, both of these shopping options was a huge help in finding what I was looking for! I just love all the different ways you can shop on Artbeads! All of the gorgeous findings are pewter (100% lead free) and either gold-plated or antique gold-plated, with the exception of the gold-filled crimp tubes (top middle) and the brass bead frames (bottom left.) The charm above the set of bead frames is a lovely bell flower I found from the TierraCast Pewter brand that Artbeads features. The fancy link on the bottom right is a multi-strand endpiece. I knew I wanted an ornate link of some sort, but I wasn't sure if this one was going to work...but once I got it and laid it out with my design, it couldn't be a more perfect fit! I have to say I'm very impressed with the beautiful craftsmanship of every item, not to mention how much prettier each item is in person.

And finally (hopefully you're still with me :), I'll be using beautiful satin ribbon in each of my designs. The colors are light-blue and brown. They're both really soft and strong and can be found in Artbeads vast selection of Stringing Materials. I love their satin ribbon! In fact, I've already tried out a few different colors with some new designs listed in my shop, and I'll be adding more over the next few weeks.

I'm almost finished with my 1st design, and I can't wait to share it with you! I really hope you'll come back next week to see what I've created with Artbeads "What's Old is New Again" design challenge.

"Thanks so much for visiting my blog."

I participate with Artbeads.comblogging community, as an `Design Partner`, therefore, I receive products free of charge in return for honest reviews. I have not been paid for my endorsement, as it pertains to the products received. Thank you.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Artbeads.com recently launched their "Make it for Mom Challenge" contest! Just create your perfect Mother's Day design using at least 50% of Artbeads products, submit your design, and you could be the lucky winner of a $250.00 Artbeads.com gift card. I don't know about you...but getting a chance to win such an awesome prize from creating a design for your Mom sounds absolutely wonderful and perfect to me!!

But that's not all my creative blog peeps...after the public votes (on facebook) and the winner is determined, that oh so lucky winner's design will be featured in the "Artbeads Learning Center." Fabulousoo!!! So get your thinking caps on, your creative mind tuned in and let the muse take over! Clickhereto go directly to the design challenge contest page and read all the details and rules. Best get movin...voting begins on Mother's Day, May 8th, just 13 more days.

Friday, April 1, 2011

I've been anticipating a package from `Bead Trends` all week, and it finally arrived today! I submitted a pair of earrings last year for the April 2011 issue of Bead Trends, and to my surprise...not only are my earringsin the magazine, but they made the cover!!! I'm SO excited!!!

A closer look inside the magazine. I just love the way they photographed them!

Another view of the entire page.

I feel so blessed and happy to have my work recognized this way. It's truly an honor! I'll be like this -> :-D for the rest of the day...no, for the rest of the month!! LOL! :-D

"Many thanks to Bead Trends!"

*FYI -Click here -> Bead Trends is accepting designs for their October 2011 (deadline- April 25th) and November 2011 (deadline-May 25th) issues. Give it a shot...you never know what can happen if you don't try.